This is the debut album from Natt, a Norwegian progressive/post-rock/doom band.
Natt contains just three songs, with 45 minutes of music. They’re an instrumental duo, although they’re joined on this recording by session musicians on bass and drums/percussion, (the latter from Enslaved). I’m not normally drawn to instrumental music, but one look at the strangely disturbing album artwork made me want to hear this work, and I’m so glad it did. Continue reading “Natt – Natt (Review)”
So here we are again. It’s December, and year end lists are flying around like shrapnel. Due to the inherent subjectivity of music it’s always interesting to see what people have made of the preceding year.
For me, I made a concerted effort to drag myself away from the depths of black metal’s always-enticing abyss to spend some more time with other genres and styles that I also love. I said something similar last year, but I feel this year I was more successful in achieving that end. Of course, I still love black metal, still listen to it constantly, and you’ll still find some great examples of the blackened arts in the list below.
2022 was a strong year for death metal for me, and I enjoyed more death metal bands in a deeper way than I have done for some time. In every year there are standout releases, but I felt this year the standard was raised throughout. Possibly I was simply more receptive to it. Either way, you’ll find more death metal-related acts, and in higher spots, in this selection than you’ll have seen in my lists for a while.
As with last year, grindcore was largely absent from my year, disappointingly, as was hardcore. Additionally, the sort of lengthy, ugly, abyssal doom that I love so much has been largely lacking too. It’s all probably out there somewhere, but I didn’t catch it.
The top two spots this year are both claimed by albums/bands/styles that I simply could not have predicted would be at the pinnacle of my list by the year’s end, (one of the bands I hadn’t even heard of in January). I hope you enjoy these excellent records even half as much as I do.
Lastly I just want to say a big thank you to any and all that might read this site. It’s only a small endeavour, and I do it purely for the love of all things METAL and to support bands that I enjoy in whatever minor way I can, but if this is you, a heartfelt thank you for enduring my scribblings.
On to it! Continue reading “Wonderbox Metal End of Year List – Best Metal of 2022”
This is the sixth album from US progressive rock band Elder.
Innate Passage contains 54 minutes of psychedelic progressive rock. Elder take the listener on a journey into sound, one which offers a vivid and intricate experience. Continue reading “Elder – Innate Passage (Review)”
This is the fifth album from Swedish dark rock band Avatarium.
Both 2017’s Hurricanes and Halos and 2019’s The Fire I Long For were very enjoyable records, showing good progression from one to the next that simply saw the band improving and diversifying. So what next for Avatarium? Continue reading “Avatarium – Death, Where Is Your Sting (Review)”
This is the second album from US post-metal band Earthrise.
Until We Rest Beneath the Winter Way is a 72-minute journey into ambitious, spacefaring post-metal territories. Taking in elements of progressive metal and rock, Earthrise craft heavy music with emotive atmosphere and engaging texture. Continue reading “Earthrise – Until We Rest Beneath the Winter Way (Review)”
This is the second album from Canadian metallers Ritual Dictates.
Featuring current and ex-members of 3 Inches of Blood and Revocation, this is an atypical album that probably doesn’t sound like you’re expecting it to. It certainly took me by surprise, in a very pleasant way. Continue reading “Ritual Dictates – No Great Loss (Review)”
In what was once again a solid month for metal, I give you below my five favourite albums from August… Continue reading “Monthly Overview – the Best of August 2022”
Gone Cosmic are a rock band from Canada and this is their second album.
Gone Cosmic play retro blues-laced psychedelic rock with a progressive edge, and touches of heavy metal. Which is a relatively simplistic description for such a potent record. Continue reading “Gone Cosmic – Send for a Warning, the Future’s Calling (Review)”
Feather Mountain are a progressive metal band from Denmark and this is their second album.
To Exit a Maelstrom contains 45 minutes of modern progressive metal that incorporates elements of alternative and progressive rock. There’s also a djent influence, but it’s not an overbearing one. Continue reading “Feather Mountain – To Exit a Maelstrom (Review)”
This is the fifth album from UK progressive rock band Dawnwalker.
Driven by a single artist who has gathered a rich band of musicians around him, the core standard instruments are fleshed out by piano, violins, and no fewer than four vocalists. Continue reading “Dawnwalker – House of Sand (Review)”
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